News & Media

Jenny Craig Will Be Onsite Commemorating 30 Years of Changing Lives and Encouraging Americans to Commit to Walking at Least 30 Minutes a Day

Carlsbad, Calif. (May 29, 2013) — Jenny Craig Brand Ambassador Valerie Bertinelli will be at the American Heart Association’s Wall Street Run & Heart Walk in New York City on Thursday, May 30, partnering with Jenny Craig as they celebrate 30 years of changing lives. As a proud national sponsor of the American Heart Association’s Heart Walks, Jenny Craig is supporting more than 300 walks across the United States in 2013.

Most people don’t realize that being overweight can impact their heart health. By maintaining a healthy weight, people can lower their risk factors including blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels and BMI. Evidence shows that by losing 5-10% of their body weight, people can reduce their risk for cardiovascular diseases through improvements in blood cholesterol levels.1 An independent two-year clinical trial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2010, showed that Jenny Craig clients lost an average of 10% of their body weight in one year.2

“With today’s escalating obesity epidemic, it’s more important than ever for people to take immediate action to improve their health,” said Dana Fiser, Global CEO of Jenny Craig. “At Jenny Craig, we’re fully committed to helping people achieve a healthier lifestyle through realistic means. Our consultants teach clients how to increase activity and develop healthy eating behaviors that are workable for their everyday lives. With support, our clients find that ‘real life’ and ‘real change’ can happen at the same time.”

At the Heart Walk, Valerie Bertinelli will join Jenny Craig in recognizing 30 successful Jenny Craig clients who have achieved their weight loss goals and are on a path to better health. Bertinelli will also participate in the walk as part of “Team Jenny.” In addition to fielding walkers and runners, Jenny Craig will be onsite sampling healthy snacks, giving away prizes, and providing a fun, interactive photo experience. Attendees will also have the opportunity to talk with Jenny Craig consultants and clients.

“I’m thrilled to be part of the Wall Street Run & Heart Walk again this year. It’s important for people to understand that heart disease is the number one killer in America, and that a healthy diet and exercise can lower their risk,” said Valerie Bertinelli. “Heart disease is a personal issue for me. Losing weight on Jenny Craig has made a very positive impact on my life and those close to me. I want to share with others that taking small steps every day can improve their health. It is doable; you just have to take that first step.”

Jenny Craig advocates the health benefits of walking and encourages people to walk 30 minutes a day. “Studies have shown that exercise can significantly improve your mental and physical quality of life. And the exercise needn’t be vigorous,” said Dr. Tim Church, M.D., M.P.H, Ph.D., Professor of Preventative Medicine at Pennington Biomedical Research Center at Louisiana State University and Jenny Craig Medical Advisory Board Member. “Those who are sedentary can see improvements in their weight by walking for just 30 minutes a day, whether in 10 minute increments three times a day, or for 30 minutes at once.”

About Jenny Craig Jenny Craig’s program is designed to help you manage your weight by creating a healthy relationship with food, building a fun, active lifestyle and developing a balanced approach to living. Our mantra is: Eat Well. Move More. Live Life. Our model is like no other weight loss company out there. Jenny provides a weekly personal consultation that is tailored to you. We teach portion control, provide motivational techniques for stressful situations like social gatherings and dining out, and provide fun ways to incorporate daily activity. Jenny’s nutritionists work with food scientists to create more than 80 delicious Jenny's Cuisine™ menu items. Jenny's program is available in-center and our at-home program, Jenny Craig At Home for easy access, whenever, wherever! Jenny Craig, based in Carlsbad, CA, is one of the world's largest weight management companies, with more than 700 company-owned and franchised centers in the United States, France, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Puerto Rico. Jenny Craig is celebrating their 30th Birthday in 2013.

About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – America’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country.